Westfjords police warn merger could weaken local services

The Westfjords Police Association says a proposed reduction in Iceland’s police districts could weaken policing outside the capital, mbl.is reported. The association supports plans to strengthen police expertise and specialisation but says it is unclear how the changes would improve rural policing or public safety.

In September, the justice minister announced plans to reduce the number of police districts from nine to three. Ingvar Jakobsson, chair of the Westfjords Police Association and a chief inspector with the Westfjords police, told Morgunblaðið that most members consider the proposal poorly thought out.

The association is concerned that mergers could later be used to justify cost-cutting measures that reduce police staffing in the region. Although the bill says there are no plans to cut police staff or close police stations, the association says decision-making over organisation, priorities, funding and specialist services could move farther from the communities served.

“We believe the police need more investment, both in staff and therefore funding, and that this is the root of the problem,” Jakobsson said. He said population growth and more tourists were increasing the police workload and the need for resources.

The Westfjords cover a large and challenging area, where long distances, difficult transport and weather can place demanding requirements on police. Jakobsson said that even in the best conditions, it could take a long time for the police special unit to reach the region when called, while bad conditions could delay it for days. In such circumstances, he said, local officers might have to manage without outside assistance for an extended period.

The association is also concerned about how a larger regional police district would provide effective management and support for services in the Westfjords. The location of any such district’s headquarters has not been decided.

Other submissions on the bill have raised concerns that it does not adequately show how reducing the number of police districts would address the challenges facing Icelandic police. The Association of Chief Police Officers has also questioned whether the bill sufficiently assesses potential effects on public safety, rural policing, response capacity and national security.